Deaths in the Series

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 192183

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Bart Lidofsky <bart at ...> wrote:
>
> On 6/28/2012 1:44 PM, Scott Smith wrote:
> > One thing that bothered me was the lack of Weasleys (except 
> > George, or was it Fred... I can never keep them straight) dying. ...
>
> Bart:
> ... Because, although we grew to care about Fred and George, I
> cannot recall a single thing in canon that would enable us to 
> differentiate between them. I have known a number of identical 
> twins in my life, and, no matter how friendly they were with 
> each other, they were all sufficiently different in personality 
> that there was never a real problem telling the difference. ...
> 
> Bart
>

Steve:

I'm inclined to agree with Shaun on this one. I have a view of people that I call 'The Theory of Light and Shadows'. "Light" are dynamic charismatic outgoing people. The "Shadow" people are more introspective and thoughtful. They have a complex internal landscape. At the extremes "Shadows" become self-destructive, and the "Light" become total air-heads. And of course, the Light and Shadows are not absolute, but a spectrum, it is possible to be 50% Light and 50% Shadow. 

Fred leaned toward the side of the Light, he was the more outgoing person of the pair. George leaned toward the Shadows, he was less outgoing and more introspective, which made Fred's death all the more traumatic for George. The event is going to haunt George for the rest of his life, while he will be able to file it away in time, thoughts about this event and loss will never stop haunting him.

I think Fred was better equipped to lose George than George was to lose Fred, and in that, JKR made the right choice. She made the most loved character die, and left the most devastated character behind to morn that death. 

I think Fred and George are distinct, and I think that clearly come through in the stories. So, far we seem to have a consensus that indeed Fred was the more outgoing; he was brighter and "lighter". George was more of a "shadow", more introspective and thoughtful. 

Just one man's opinion.

Steve/bluewizard